2022 JC's Own Ferine Grenache Whole Bunch, Barossa Valley

A hand-harvested, carbonic-fermented Angaston grenache that is awash with exotic spice, macerated plum and dark cherry fruits with a splash of blueberry and boysenberry. Hints of cola, ginger cake, amaro, turned earth and raspberry pip along with gentle tug and powdery, sandy tannins and bright acidity. I love the purity and toothsome framework here.

93 points Special Value Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

JC’s Own Ferine Grenache Whole Bunch from the Barossa Valley is a vibrant and boundary-pushing expression of Grenache from winemaker Jaysen Collins, known for his creative, unfiltered approach to modern Australian winemaking. “Ferine” — meaning wild and untamed — perfectly sums up the spirit of this wine: raw energy, aromatic lift, and a fearless sense of character that stands apart from traditional Barossa Grenache styles.

Sourced from old bush vines across select Barossa sites, the fruit is fermented entirely as whole bunches, enhancing perfume, texture, and spice. This method gives the wine its lifted aromatics and fine-boned structure, while preserving the purity of fruit. Jaysen employs minimal intervention throughout — native yeasts, no fining, no filtration — letting the vineyard and the variety speak with authenticity and vibrancy.

In the glass it shows a luminous crimson hue. The aroma leaps from the glass with wild strawberry, cranberry, red cherry, and pomegranate layered with exotic spice, lavender, and earthy stem notes. The palate is supple yet energetic, with juicy red fruits, savoury herbs, and a streak of minerality. Silky tannins and bright acidity give the wine a lively, textural finish that feels fresh and slightly untamed — true to its name.

It’s a wine made for versatility at the table, pairing beautifully with grilled lamb, duck, charcuterie, or Mediterranean dishes like roasted vegetables and tomato-based pastas. Serve it lightly chilled for maximum vibrancy. Though it shines in its youth, it will develop graceful complexity over the next 6 to 8 years.